[Postoperative nausea and vomiting--pathophysiology, prophylaxis and treatment]. / Postoperative Ubelkeit und Erbrechen in der Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde. Pathophysiologie, Therapie und Prophylaxe-Eine Ubersicht.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are among the most common complications in operative medicine. Especially patients undergoing middle ear surgery or adenotonsillectomy are frequently associated with PONV (70 %). Furthermore, emesis carries the risk of severe postoperative complications and is associated with additional costs and distress in patient management. If the patient carries a high risk for postoperative emesis, the patient should receive a prophylactic antiemetic therapy. 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists are highly effective in prevention and management of PONV. This review will discuss pathophysiology, prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting after E.N.T. surgery.